Electrical swing joint



Oct 26, 1948. D. M. PHlLLlPS ELECTRICAL SWING JOINT 2 Sheets-Shae:

Filed July 28, 1943 Oct, 26, 1948. D. M. PHHLLEPS ifi fil ELECTRICAL SWING JOINT Filed July 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 of the connection shown in Fig. 1.

Patented Oct. 26, 1948 ELECTRICAL SWING JOINT Dwight M. Phillips, Fullerton. Califl, assignor to Chiksan Tool Company, Brea, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 28, 1943, Serial No. 496,442

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to electrical connections and relates more particularly to electrical swing joints. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical, dependable and long wearing electrical swing joint.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical swing connection for use in multitubular electrical conductors for handling high frequency current, etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical swing connection in which the parts are connected for free relative turning or swing-' ing movement by positive, dependable, anti-friction means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical swing connection for multi-tubular conductors that is effectively sealed so that the tubular conductors may carry gas or other fluid under pressure.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical swing connectionin which the several tubular conductors of the multiple system are dependably supported and insulated one from the other and their individual relatively turnable sections are effectively engaged for the transmission of electrical energy.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following dctailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of one form of the invention with a portion appearing in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an end view Fig. 3 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of another form of the invention with a portion appearing in side elevation, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the connection illustrated in Fig. 3.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings may be said to comprise, generally, two outer or body sections I and II adapted to be connected with the parts of a tubular outer connecting means I2 for connecting the sections I II and I I for free relative turning, means I3 for sealing between the sections and means I4 for electrically connecting inner conductors for free relative turning.

The sections I0 and II form the body of the joint and constitute an annular assembly adapted to be connected in a tubular outer conductor. The section In may be considered the inner section and is a simple, tubular element. The inner end section I0 may be integral and has an inner tion It]. The conductor I'I closely portion I 5 of reduced external diameter. A shoulder I6 is provided on the exterior of the section II] where the reduced portion I5 joins the body of the section. One part or length I? of the outer tubular electrical conductor extends into the secfits within the section In and is electrically connected therewith by solder I8.

The outer section II is electrically connected with the other part or length I8 of the outer tubular conductor and telescopes over the inner section I0. In the preferred construction the outer section II is sectional comprising a main part I9 and a flange or cap 20. The main part I9 surrounds the inner section I0 with clearance. The end portion of the main part I9 which surrounds the reduced portion I5 of the inner sectact sleeve 21 tion It! is enlarged in internal diameter providing an annular shoulder 2| which lies in the same plane as the shoulder I6. The cap 29 is secured to the inner end of the main part I9 by screws or studs 22 which may pass longitudinally through openings of the body part I9 to extend from the outer end of the part. Nuts 23 are threaded on the projecting ends of the studs 22. A gasket 24 may be provided between the opposing faces of the body part I9 and cap 20. An annular rim 25 is provided on the inner side of the cap 20 and enters the body part I9. The conductor I8 enters the end of the cap 20 and is electrically connected with the cap by sold-2r 25 or the like.

Means is provided for electrically connecting the two lengths or parts I? and I8 of the outer electrical conductor. This means includes a conprcssed or force-fitted into the inner section II).

A flange 28 on the wall of the section separate the opposing ends of the conductor I I and the sleeve 27. A bearing and contact ring 29 is recessed in the wall of the cap 20. The contact sleeve 21 is longitudinally split from its outer end to be resilient and its resilient portion engages or bears within the ring 29 to complete the electrical connection between the sections I0 and II. It will be seen that the conductors I1 and I3 electrically connected with the sections I0 and II are maintained in electrica conducting relation by the sleeve 2! contacting with the ring 29.

The means I2 for ID may connecting the sections I0 and II for relative turning is an anti-friction means. The means I2 includes pairs of registering annular grooves formed in the interior of the section II and the exterior of the section III and constituting races 30. Series of balls 3| are provided in the races 39. It will be seen how the engagement of the balls 3| in the spaced races 30 positively connects the section I and I for free relative rotation. If desired the parts may be proportioned so that-the sections II have limited relative longitudinal play. A lateral opening 32 is provided in the wall of the part l9 and joins the two races 36 to facilitate the assembly of the balls 3| into the races. The opening 32 is normally closed by a threaded plug 33 and the plug is locked in the key 34. The inner end of the plug 33 is recessed so that the balls 3| may roll over it. A grease fitting 35 is provided in the plug 33 to facilitate the lubrication of the means |2.

The sealing means I3 is provided to prevent the loss of fluid, say gas under pressure, from between the sections In and H and to prevent foreign matter from entering the connection. The means l3 includes a sealing ring assembly surrounding the reduced end portion l of the section III. This sealing ring assembly comprises an outer ring 36 of brass, or the like, arranged against the shoulders l6 and 2|. A series of chevron packing rings 31 of synthetic rubber or other sealing material is provided in front of the ring 36. A forward ring 38 of brass, or the like, is arranged in front of the rings 31 and has a convex face cooperating with the foremost sealing ring. A lubricant retaining ring 39 Of felt, or the like, is provided in front of the ring 38 and a metal spacer ring 40 is arranged against the outer side of the grease retaining ring 39. Means is provided for holding the sealing ring assembly actuated. This means comprises a spring 4| arranged under compression between the ring 46 and the end wall of the cap 20. It will be seen how the sealing rings 31 efiectively prevent the leakage of fluid under pressure outwardly from between the sections l0 and II and how the ring 39 prevents lubricant from the means l2 from entering the tubular conductors.

The sealing means l3 further includes rings 43 of synthetic rubber, or the like, set in grooves in the periphery of the inner section ||l at opposite sides of the spaced races 30. The sealing rings 43 have diagonal grooves entering their outer corners. The square sealing rings 43 closely fit their respective grooves and are effective in preventing the inward passage of fluid and particles between the sections i0 and I.

The connection of the invention may be em?- ployed with one, two or more inner tubular conductors. In the case illustrated there are two inner conductors. The sections of one of these inner tubular conductors are supported in the conductors I1 and I8 by spaced insulators 44. The insulators 44 are pressed or tightly fitted in the outer conductors l1 and i8 and are broadened toward their interiors to have extensive cooperation with the sections 45 and 46 of the inner or intermediate conductor. The conductors 45 and 46 have rotary engagement with the insulators 44. Split spring rings 41 are engaged in grooves in the conductors 45 and 46 at opposite sides of the insulators 44 to limit or prevent endwise movement of the conductors. Openings or passages 48 are provided in the insulators 44 to permit the flow of gas through the outer conductor assembly. The sections 45 and 41 ofthe intermediate tubular conductor are electrically connected by elements of the inner contact means I The contact means l4 includes a tubular inner contact 49 on the conductor 45 and a contact correct position by a, cotter sleeve 50 on the conductor 46. The contact 49 has a reduced end portion provided with longitudinal slots 5| which make it resilient and the sleeve 5|] closely fits about this reduced resilient portion to remain in electrical connection therewith. The contact 49 and the sleeve 59 turnably or swingably engage one with the other so that the conductors 45 and 46 may turn with respect to one another.

The innermost conductor sections 53 and 54 are supported within the intermediateconductors for independent turning. Longitudinally spaced ring-like insulators 55 are tightly fitted within the conductors 45 and 46 to be fixed thereto and engage around the innermost conductors 53 and 54. The conductors 53 and 54 may be crimped to provide shoulders at the opposite sides of the insulators 55. This prevents or limits longitudinal shifting of the conductors 53 and 54.

The inner contact means |4 further includes a contact insert 5'! fixed in the end portion of the conductor 53 and a complementary contact insert The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings may be said to comprise, generally, two body sections 60 and 6|, means 62 connecting the sections 6|] and 6| for relative turning, means 63 for sealing between the sections 60 and 6|, and means 64 for electrically connecting the inner conductors.

The sections 60 and 'BI form a tubular body assembly. The section 60 is the inner part and is asimple, tubular member provided with a reduced end portion 65. An external annular shoulder 66 is formed on the section 60 at the end of the reduced portion 65. The section 6| forms the outer member of the body assembly and is an elongate tubular element. The section 6| surrounds the section 60 with clearance and continues a substantial distance beyond the inner end of the section 60.

The body sections 60 and 6| are interposed in an outer tubular conductor assembly. A conductor 61 passes through the inner section 60 and is secured thereto by solder 68. The conductor 61 extends beyond the inner end of the section 60. A contact insert 69 enters the inner end of the section 6| and is secured to the section 6| by solder 10 or the like, in registering openings in the section and insert. The contact insert 69 engages about the protruding inner end of the conductor 61 and is in engagement therewith or in such close relation thereto that it provides a path for the transmission of electrical energy. A conductor section '70 is secured in the outer end of the insert 69 and extends longitudinally from the insert. A coupling socket or flange H is provided on the outer end of the conductor 10. The flange H is provided with screws 12 to facilitate the connection of the conductor ill with other conducting elements. A tubular lateral 13 extends from the conductor 10. A similar tubular lateral 14 is secured in an opening in the contact insert 69 and extends outwardly through an opening 15 in the wall of the body section 6|. The outer conductor 61 which is associated with the body section 60 has an elongate tubular lateral 16 provdied at its outer end with a coupling or flange 11. The flange 11 is equipped with screws 16 to facilitate the connection of the lateral 16 with other conducting equipment.

The means for connecting the sections 60 and 6| for relative turning or rotary movement is an anti-friction means The means 62 includes two sets of registering annular grooves formed in the periphery of the section 60 and the interior of the section 6| and shaped to constitute annular ball races 19. Series of balls 8Il'are provided in the races 19 to connect the sections 66 and 6| for free relative turning. Radial openings 8| are provided in the wall of the section 6| to join the races 19. The radial openings 8| permit the ready insertion of the balls 86 into the races 19. Threaded plugs 82 close the openings 8| and are secured against loss by cotter keys 83. It will be seen that the spaced series of balls 80 engaged in the raceways 19 connect the sections 60 and 6| for free relative turning and maintain the sections in the concentric relation.

The means 63 serves to seal between the inner section 60 and the other section 6|. The packing means 63 comprises a packing ring assembly engaged around the reduced portion 65 of the inner section 60. The sealing ring assembly includes an inner ring 84 of metal, or the like, bearing against the shoulder 66 and a series of chevron sealing rings 85, engaged against the inner ring. An outer ring 86 of metal, or the like, engages the outermost ring 85 and a lubricant retaining ring 81 of felt, or the like, is engaged against the ring 86. Means is provided for maintaining the sealing ring assembly in the actuated condition. This means comprises a spring 88 enaged under compression between the internal wall of the section 6| and a ring 89 which bears against the grease retaining ring 81. In the construction illustrated the self-lubricating bearing ring 90 of lubricant impregnated bronze, or the like, is set in the section 6| at the outer end of the spring 98 and engages about the section 60.

The inner conductor assembly includes a tubular conductor 9| extending within the conductor and provided at its outer end with a contact 92 for cooperation with a complementary contact (not shown). A sleeve 93 rotatably fits around the conductor 9| and carries a lateral conductor rod 94. The rod 94 extends outwardly through the lateral 13 and its outer end is engaged in a plug 95 closing the outer end of the lateral. A conductor rod 96 extends longitudinally through the conductor 61 and has its outer end engaged in a plug 91 closing the outer end of the conductor 61. from the conductor 96 and carries a tubular conductor 99. The conductor 99 extends outwardly within the lateral 16 and is adapted for connection with another conductor (not shown).

A lateral pin 98 projects,

The means 64 serves to electrically connect the relatively turnable conductors 9| and 96. The means 64 includes a contact insert I00 fixed to the inner end of the conductor 9| and extending longitudinally toward the conductor 96. The insert IIlIJ has a reduced inner portion IOI. A contact sleeve I02 is fixed on the inner end of the conductor 96 and engages around the portion IN to provide a path for the transmission of electrical energy between the conductors 96 and 9|. A steel pin I03 is fixed in the end of the conductor 96 and turnably engages in a hushed opening I64 in the insert |0| to maintain the parts in the coaxial relation. The contact insert I6I is provided with a lateral conductor rod I65. The rod I extends outwardly through the lateral 14 and its outer end is engaged in a plug I06 closing the outer end of the lateral 14.

The outer body section 1| may be provided with a radial mounting flang I01 to facilitate the mounting of the body assembly. The flange I91 may have spaced openings I08 for the reception of securing parts and is interrupted by a notch I09 to make the outer opening 8| and its plug 82 readily accessible.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

An electrical connection including two tubular sections, outer tubular conductors rigid with the sections with their ends spaced apart, means connecting the sections for relative turning, a contact sleeve between the ends of the conductors and fixed in one section and engaging in the other section, and means for sealing between the sections including an assembly of chevron type sealing rings sealing between telescoping parts of the sections and in communication with the space between the ends of the conductors to be actuated by fluid pressure from said conductors.

DWIGHT M. PHILLIPS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

